Lead Archaeology Technician - Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking 1 Lead Archaeology Technician to contribute to the Heritage program alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 1, 2025 (05/01/2025)

End Date: November 14, 2025 (11/14/2025)

Location Details/Description: Yuba River Ranger District (Nevada City, California)

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world class rafting and swimming holes. Nevada City has a flourishing arts scene, hosts excellent concerts and music festivals, and has many restaurants and shopping areas. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities.

For more information about the Yuba River Ranger District, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website.

Position Overview: The Lead Archaeology Technician will support Forest Service initiatives by providing technical support to the heritage resource staff. The purpose of the work is to serve as a senior technician and crew work leader on archaeological surveys and ensure the work is accomplished within established rules, methods, and timelines. The work directly affects the design and execution of large forest priority projects, as well as the long range objectives of the Tahoe National Forest heritage program.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Field Work (75% of Duties) -

• Plan and lead on-the-ground pedestrian surveys and oversee the recording of surface historic and precontact cultural resources. Crews will mainly be composed of a lead archeological technician (leads) and an archaeological technician but can sometimes include up to 4 archeological technicians with one lead depending on the situation.
  • Surveys will be organized and planned for efficiency by leads using established procedures and survey methodologies. There will be times where you will be required to work alongside other leads to plan and complete project work.
  • Leads will adapt survey strategies as determined by specific project requirements (terrain, vegetation cover, and time frames) and changing field conditions (weather, safety conditions, etc).
• Fieldmaps will be used to record and produce survey data. This data will be reviewed by the District or Project Archeologists regularly.
• Leads will oversee the recording and monitoring of cultural resources, which includes those that are found during survey as well as those that have been previously documented. Previous documentation and information may vary in quality and accuracy.
• Leads will be expected to actively communicate and coordinate with the District or Project archaeologist on project progress, methodologies, and other complex issues that arise regarding the project or crew dynamic.
• It is expected that leads will model existing safety procedures and conduct regular (weekly) tailgate safety sessions for each crew.
• Documentation of new cultural resources, or monitoring of existing resources, will use Survey123 on tablets. Leads will ensure that accurate and complete data is being recorded.
• Site and Survey data collected through the season will be downloaded on a regular basis (weekly) using Wi-Fi hotspots. Leads will be required to schedule and direct the downloads weekly, quality control the data to ensure accuracy, and organize it digitally.
• Other than surveys, leads may be directed by the District or Project Archaeologist to lead a crew in the field to flag resources to ensure their protection in upcoming project implementation work (timber sales, road work, etc.).

Office Work (25% of Duties) -

• Delegate and instruct crew technicians to gather and scan existing resource documentation that is needed prior to field survey.
• Review, correct, and finalize forms produced from crew technicians and verify with Fieldmaps to ensure quality-controlled data.
• Using ESRI's ArcPRO program, organize and quality-control field data, as well as compose sketch and location map forms as necessary.
• Research of reference materials such as State and National Register files, historic documents, archeological reports, maps, and aerial photos may be needed.
• Review work in progress to ensure that standards for survey design, site recording, and final information that will be used in the NHPA 106 report are being met.
• Enter or update site and inventory information into the Forest Service NRM cultural resource database.

Schedule: Work schedule will be Mon-Thur 7:00am -5:30pm, reporting to the Tahoe National Forest's Supervisor's Office in Nevada City daily. Schedule adjustments will be limited and granted upon approval of the District Archaeologist.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1007.86/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7-20 per day by the Forest. Barracks housing provided by the Forest is typically located 30-45 minutes from the daily reporting location and are typically in remote locations with limited connectivity. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance: New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include Wilderness First Aid, and various USFS Required AgLearns courses. There are no opportunities for wildland fire training. ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities, which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Qualifications

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Master's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as anthropology, archaeology, and cultural resource management.
• Archaeological fieldwork experience
• Knowledge of basic theories and practices of archaeology in order to compile technical reports and make recommendations to district archaeology staff
• Advanced knowledge of the techniques of archaeological reconnaissance in order to adapt survey strategies to successfully identify a large variety of artifacts and features and relocate previously recorded resources.
• Ability to perform library and archival research to locate and obtain information
• Knowledge of technical report writing to prepare project reports or determinations of eligibility
• Skill using a compass, aerial photos, topographic maps and GPS units to navigate to sites and survey areas
• Must be able to work alone and lead small groups with minimal supervision, adhere to instructions and procedures, and use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently
• Practical knowledge of the local geography, archaeology, ethnography and history of the area within and adjacent to the Forest
• Ability to organize, manage, and edit GIS data using ArcMap, AGOL, and ArcGIS Pro
• Experience collecting survey and site data using Survey 123 and Field Maps
• Ability to manage a highly demanding outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather. Specific projects may require hiking up to 10 miles per day.
• Leadership experience and conflict resolution.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work, which is limited throughout the season, is in a climate controlled environment.
• Noise Environment: Light noise exposure both in the field and in office environments
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazards include bees/stinging insects, beetle-killed and/or fire-killed trees.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Forest Service. ACE members may, if they possess or obtain certification and training required by the State of California and the U.S. Forest service, operate a gas or electric powered chainsaw to remove dead and downed trees obstructing work areas as permitted by their qualifications and comfort. Members may be asked to remove dead or downed trees or limbs from work areas using a non-powered saw. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe NF Project Manager, Al Richert. Her contact information can be found on the ACE staff page.ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Salary : $7 - $20